No HRT--what are you doing to protect your bones?

Will have a TVH on July 21 and trying to decide if I should have my remaining ovary removed as well. I'm 43 and have been having severe hot flashes, and night sweats for the past several months, so I think menopause is getting ready to kick in. I would like to have everything out, but don't want hrt.

I could live with the hot flashes but my dr. says that it would also be to protect my bones.

If you aren't doing HRT, are you doing anything special to prevent bone loss?

I work out with weights several times a week which is a plus. I also rarely drink soda and take a calcium supplement regularly. I have osteoarthritis which is a negative. Additionally, I have a family history of heart problems and blood clots (my mom).

I'm 44 and had my TAH/BSO almost a month ago. Like you I had been having minor hot flashes and night sweats off and on...plus my cycle was way off. I, with my doctor, decided to try no HRT..mainly because I just don't want to. I am taking natural supplements and these chocolate chews that are vitamin D and calcium. I believe I'll be having my first bone density test in the next month or so.

I walk and exercise regulary and eat a decent diet as well.

Good luck

Thanks for this question, it is a vital matter as I have found out the hard way! Was finally given a presc for that bone making medication but I'm scared to take it- so many side effects!
Anyway 6 months ago started my own research and prog for keeping my bones! Can't hope to improve density but hope to slow it down.
I do fast walking as many times a week as I can, take 800 mg calcium split into 2X400 each day, have extra milk and yog to make up to 1200 mg per day. It's best for absorption to not have anything much else for an hour either side of taking calc as it interferes w/absorption. Eg tea, bananas, walnuts, fibre, oats are best consumed at different times.
I have noticed my nails are the best they've ever been in my life so 1200mg is benefiting me. I'm 57, had op 6 yrs ago, everything gone, no HRT at all.
Tai Chi and meditation to help stress are helping me too. Stress bad for bones.
One needs to find a happy medium, I have bad knees so jogging is out although it would help my bones! I found good balance exercises on the net too- like walking toe to heel, stand up from chairs without using hands to help, dancing etc
Peace and hugs

awesome advice! i dont care to take prescriptions either and have been wanting to get on top of taking care of myself better esp my bones. i had a TAH BSO when i was 26 I am 40 now. and i havent taken or been advised to take supplements for bones. my grandmother has osteoporosis and my mother has degenerative disc disease--both have rheumatoid arthritis.

I added extra calcuim and vitamin d to my daily vitamin. I just heard on a tv commercial that One A Day has come out with a vitamin for women in menopause. I'm going to look into that. I also take Estroven (over the counter) supplement this helps with the hot/night sweats. I use the PM version because it helps me sleep.

I am 2 years into this and after an initial bone density, (which was good), I am doing calcium supplements, and Vitamin D every day. I also eat at least 1 fat free yougurt every day. As of last labs and bone density, all is good.

Can I find Estroven at health food or vitamin stores? I used to take several different vitamins before my doctor prescribed one with iron this spring. This was in reaction to my severe and frequent periods. I have not resumed taking this because I was worried about constipation. Now that things are more regular I am ready to start taking vitamins again, in addition to HRT. I have just started taking vitamin E again. Would like to add more. Enjoy reading your suggestions.

Yes 4got to mention D vit, need to make sure we get enough of that too. Plenty of fresh fruit and veg are useful too to help absorb calc. Course sensible exposure to sunlight is vital as well as consuming as much calc thru' proper food eg dark green veg, dried beans, lentils, soya beans, fish and seafood, diet/light dairy that suit one...
Another aspect to consider is the meds and cokes that leach calc from our bones- so I try to avoid all soft drinks, all aluminum cooking utensils as well as foil! Unfortunately many items we use or consume have a habit of doing this- anti- deps, anti bios, laxatives, water pills and a few others - so I guess some of us are between a rock and a hard place on this......
Anyway we can only do our best. Knowledge can be power!
Peace and hugs

Hello, I haven't been on here for years, but find I need to come back now. I was watching a show by Dr. Christiane Northrup on Women's Wisdom Women's bodies or something like that and she mentioned to do weight bearing exercise. One of the things she said you can do to accomplish this is to just put some text books in a back pack, do your walking, vaccuming, etc. with this back pack and you've done weight bearing exercise the is suppose to promote bone growth. There is a great article on the subject on her website which you can find by google her name.